Published: Friday, March 7, 2014 at 1:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 7, 2014 at 1:25 p.m.

Melody Johnson, a physician’s assistant from Deltona, has filed preliminary paperwork with the elections office to seek Southwest Volusia’s District 5 seat on the School Board.

“I just want an opportunity for fresh eyes,” said the mother of three who opposes what she says is the “one size fits all approach” of the new Florida academic standards that are based largely on the Common Core standards adopted by 45 states.

The standards scheduled to be fully implemented in Florida schools next summer have stirred debate around the country. Critics say they represent an unconstitutional overreach by the federal government into education decisions best made at the local level. Supporters defend them as a consistent, rigorous approach to education that would better prepare students for college and careers.

“I welcome her to the race. Voters deserve a choice,” said Smith, 55, who also lives in Deltona and supports the new standards.

Johnson, 46, said she wants to see more emphasis on academic excellence in Volusia schools, increased opportunities for parents to participate in decision making and better pay for teachers. She has yet to develop specific proposals on how to achieve those goals.

Formal qualifying for the School Board race isn’t until mid-June. If two or more candidates qualify in a district, they will face off in the Aug. 26 primary. A runoff would be scheduled in November if no one gets more than half the primary votes.

School Board members are elected in nonpartisan races to four-year terms that pay $34,010 annually. Although candidates’ party affiliations aren’t identified on the ballot, local Republicans have made them issues in recent local elections and have vowed to do so again this year.

Johnson identifies herself as a “very conservative” Republican. Smith is a registered Democrat.

<p>Volusia County School Board member Diane Smith has some company in her bid for election to a third term.</p><p>Melody Johnson, a physician’s assistant from Deltona, has filed preliminary paperwork with the elections office to seek Southwest Volusia’s District 5 seat on the School Board.</p><p>“I just want an opportunity for fresh eyes,” said the mother of three who opposes what she says is the “one size fits all approach” of the new Florida academic standards that are based largely on the Common Core standards adopted by 45 states.</p><p>The standards scheduled to be fully implemented in Florida schools next summer have stirred debate around the country. Critics say they represent an unconstitutional overreach by the federal government into education decisions best made at the local level. Supporters defend them as a consistent, rigorous approach to education that would better prepare students for college and careers.</p><p>“I welcome her to the race. Voters deserve a choice,” said Smith, 55, who also lives in Deltona and supports the new standards.</p><p>Johnson, 46, said she wants to see more emphasis on academic excellence in Volusia schools, increased opportunities for parents to participate in decision making and better pay for teachers. She has yet to develop specific proposals on how to achieve those goals.</p><p>Formal qualifying for the School Board race isn’t until mid-June. If two or more candidates qualify in a district, they will face off in the Aug. 26 primary. A runoff would be scheduled in November if no one gets more than half the primary votes.</p><p>School Board members are elected in nonpartisan races to four-year terms that pay $34,010 annually. Although candidates’ party affiliations aren’t identified on the ballot, local Republicans have made them issues in recent local elections and have vowed to do so again this year.</p><p>Johnson identifies herself as a “very conservative” Republican. Smith is a registered Democrat.</p>